In
the understanding of things, neither belief nor fear plays any role
in Buddhist thought. The truth of the Dhamma can be grasped only through
insight, never through blind faith, or through fear of some known or
unknown being.

Not
only did the Buddha discourage blind belief and fear of an omnipotent
God as unsuitable approaches for understanding the truth, but he also
denounced adherence to unprofitable rites and rituals, because the mere
abandoning of outward things, such as fasting, bathing in rivers, animal
sacrifice, and similar acts, does not tend to purify a man or make a
man holy and noble.

We
find this dialogue between the Buddha and the brahmin Sundarika Bhâradvâja:
Once the Buddha, addressing the monks, explained in detail how a seeker
of deliverance should train himself, and further added that a person
whose mind is free from taints, whose life of purity is perfected, and
the task done, could be called one who bathes inwardly.

Then
Bhâradvâja, seated near the Buddha, heard these words and
asked him:

"Does
the Venerable Gotama go to bathe in the river Bâhuka?"
"Brahmin, what good is the river Bâhuka? What can the river
Bâhuka do?"
"Indeed, Venerable Gotama, the river Bâhuka is believed
by many to be holy. Many people have their evil deeds (pâpa)
washed away in the river Bâhuka."

Then
the Buddha made him understand that bathing in rivers would not cleanse
a man of his dirt of evil, and instructed him thus:

"Bathe
just here (in this Doctrine and Discipline, Dhamma-vinaya),
brahmin, give security to all beings. If you do not speak falsehood,
or kill or steal, if you are confident, and are not mean, what does
it avail you to go to Gayâ (the name of a river in India during
the time of the Buddha)? Your well at home is also a Gayâ."n39